"Sore" Betts to Sit Sunday; Landry, Rogers, the Cap

Jim Zorn said Ladell Betts, who was kicked in the thigh yet again Tuesday, will not play Sunday night (good thing for Ladell all of these cleats have been landing on the periphery of the midsection, eh?). Betts said he is a little sore, but no big deal. Zorn said if this were the regular season, Betts would be playing, but since it's not we'll see him back at full go next week (only two days of practice remain this week).

LaRon Landry and Zorn both said Landry would be back for the start of practice next week. Landry was already slated to miss Sunday's game, so no sense rushing him back this week. His hamstring is healing well.

RB Eric Shelton continued to have neck and shoulder issues, and, as is the case with the 80-man roster, his days are numbered. Skins going to make a roster move and reach a settlement with Shelton, I would imagine. The team says it will have the details of the new player later today. I'm guessing it may be a linebacker or receiver perhaps, because there is ample depth at RB even without Shelton. Then again, with no Betts for a while, who the heck knows?

Zorn is having the QBs do extra conditioning work after some practices, not wanting them to be above the fray when it comes to getting the heart-rate going (their workload is considerably less in the aerobic capacity than their brethren at other positions). Zorn told us that CB Fred Smoot will also be doing the extra work with the QBs. Turns out Smoot has not passed the conditioning test given at the start of training camp, so he and Zorn spoke and he'll do extra work and try to pass it. Zorn doesn't want others to get the impression the conditioning test is no big deal.

Carlos Rogers continues to impress in his return from knee surgery. Zorn and defensive coordinator Greg Blache were very impressed with the corner's explosiveness in the morning practice, especially after having a two-a-day yesterday.

Safety Vernon Fox went down during practice - I thought at first it was Cedric Holt (No. 38 and not 39) - but is okay.

The Skins have just a shorter special teams practice at 2 this afternoon. Thursday is a heavy work day and there is just a single practice Friday. Saturday they travel to Ohio and Sunday is game day. Zorn reiterated that starters will see very, very limited action Sunday, but kids like Chad Rinehart and other draft picks will get a lot of work.

Got a few emails about this and promised to update it here. Skins are approx. $1.8 milliom under the cap according to a source with knowledge of the information. That means there's plenty of room to move, if need be, and given this rash of injuries, it's better to have a lil somethin' somethin' left over.

++++For those in need of a break from the banged up B & G, go see Dark Knight in IMAX. Not only is it better the second time, but the IMAX version is awesome (some 30 minutes of the movie were shot in IMAX).+++

Is the IMAX version still about some grown man who thinks he's a bat?

Is he still fighting a transvestite who still hasn't learned the correct way to apply Clown Rouge?

I hate to see an injury to a player but the RB position is packed already. Marcus Mason is playing well and been in the system for a year and I am excited to see how well he will play this preseason because of the injury to Betts and not playing Portis will provide an ample look at what this kid can do. He played well last year and forced the Skins to keep him until the dust settled on the final 53. This is the opportunity that a player in his situation could only dream of because the stage is set to showcase his skills to all 32 teams and not just the Skins. But I would love to see the local kid make it here first!!!!

"If the Dolphins trade Taylor, however, he would make any team that's merely playoff caliber into a Super Bowl contender. He is one of the NFL's classiest and most dominant athletes, but he has little playing time left. That said, he is only two years removed from being named the NFL's defensive player of the year and remains in tremendous shape at 6-6, 255. It would be nice for Taylor, a la Michael Strahan, to ride out of the league as a Super Bowl champ, even if it's with a new team."

So, Skins make the playoffs, keep all there starters, and add JT. That equals 26th?

As far as bringing in an RB, he'd just be there as Camp Fodder, and to rest the regulars. (Camp Fodder should not be confused with Camp Mudder or Fox Muldar.)

Speaking of which, how come the 'skins brought in that DL Zilch Foonman, or whatever his name is, and cut him the same day for Babaloo Mandel (or whatever HIS name is). Don't they do due dilligence on these bozos?

And what about Mapu-Mapu? Twice they bring him in. Now he's got matching coach's clete marks on either butt cheek.

brownwood26 - Found this on Hog Heaven: http://www.hogheaven-bbq.com/main.php It may not normally be a Skins spot, but I'm certain it will be this weekend! We're heading to Cleveland after the ceremony but I'll have to figure out a way to at least make a pit stop.

What does it mean that Smoot did not pass the conditioning drill? What is the drill and how can a healthy CB not pass it?

Posted by: BobD | July 30, 2008 11:44 AM

It's a test of the players' conditioning, which probably means Smoot was slackin' in the offseason. Pittsburgh just went through this with Casey Hampton: and they put his fat ass on the PUP list. Maybe Zorn's not looking to make waves like that, but Smoot better get it together.

A Favre break...Just talking to Maske about the report out of Green Bay that Mark Murphy has been sent to Mississippi to ask Favre not to report to camp. If that's true, it's the first big blunder by the Packers...That's against the rules and could be what frees Favre and, oh, puts him in a Vikings uniform. Think: McNair and the Titans.
Back to the Redskins....

It also starred the one and only REAL Batman, Adam West, What next, you think someone could replace Hasselhoff in a new Knight Rider? You want a new pair to stand in for Pamela Anderson on Baywatch?

Posted by: Corkczar | July 30, 2008 12:02 PM

OK Corkczar. But some of us under the age of 50 like our Batman a little bit darker and our Joker a little more ruthless.

And yes, I actually would love to see someone else on Knight Rider. Any substitution for Hasselhoff is a good one (with the exception of French Stewart or Gilbert Godfried). I thought the pilot they had on NBC a while back was good until they gave 'The Hoff' a cameo.

I thought the pilot they had on NBC a while back was good until they gave 'The Hoff' a cameo.

Posted by: brownwood26 | July 30, 2008 12:12 PM

With a show as iconic as that was you have to throw the original actor a bone to pass the torch to the new guy. It makes all of the people that grew up watching it get all sentimental and develop stronger ties to the new show.

With a show as iconic as that was you have to throw the original actor a bone to pass the torch to the new guy. It makes all of the people that grew up watching it get all sentimental and develop stronger ties to the new show.

Under NFL rules, the Packers cannot prevent Favre from playing if he wants to play. They can reinstate him to their roster. They can trade him. They can release him. But they can't make him stay home.

And if they do--or perhaps even if they just try--the NFL Players Association could file a grievance on Favre's behalf. The union could ask an arbitrator to make Favre a free agent. Maybe this is the way that Favre gets to his apparently chosen team, the Minnesota Vikings.

The union has a precedent, a previous case in which the Tennessee Titans tried to keep quarterback Steve McNair from working out as their facility during the offseason. McNair, who, like Favre, is represented by Bus Cook, ultimately was traded by the Titans to the Baltimore Ravens.

thought the pilot they had on NBC a while back was good until they gave 'The Hoff' a cameo.

Posted by: brownwood26 | July 30, 2008 12:12 PM

With a show as iconic as that was you have to throw the original actor a bone to pass the torch to the new guy. It makes all of the people that grew up watching it get all sentimental and develop stronger ties to the new show.

The Insider writes: "Zorn said if this were the regular season, Betts would be playing . . . ." Who are we kidding? Betts didn't get many chances to play ALL of last season, and he was in good health and had been promised be would be a complement to Portis, not just watching Portis from the bench 95 percent of the time.

Wow, I was watching NFL Network earlier, and they were reporting on the owner going to meet Favre with the intent of asking him not to come to camp, but there was no mention of this McNair Loophole. If Maske is right, it makes me wonder if Adam Schefter et. al. deliberately neglected to report on the loophole in hopes that Green Bay would overlook it and Favre would get free.

Seriously, GB needs to cut Favre, watch him sign with Minnesota, get their taints handed to them twice by the Vikes and kiss their short (and fluke) reign on top of the NFC North goodbye. It's just embarrassing there now...

Hmmmm, Crashing, that would seem to be a conspiracy theory making the NFL complicit in ensuring that one of its marquee QBs plays....Now why would they do that? :)
The magic loogie theory: Roger Goodell on the gravelly hill....

The Insider writes: "Zorn said if this were the regular season, Betts would be playing . . . ." Who are we kidding? Betts didn't get many chances to play ALL of last season, and he was in good health and had been promised be would be a complement to Portis, not just watching Portis from the bench 95 percent of the time.

Posted by: HarryMerkin | July 30, 2008 12:26 PM

That's what happens when the coach puts the game in your hands and you can't get in from the 1 yard-line with 2 attempts.

Its gotta be a LB brought in right? With Rocky coming back from a bad injury, Blades surgery, Marcus not a beckon of durability, and Fletcher not a spring chicken, I'm nervous that our number 1 backup is Khary Campbell............we need a vet LB or two in my humble opinion.

Seriously, GB needs to cut Favre, watch him sign with Minnesota, get their taints handed to them twice by the Vikes and kiss their short (and fluke) reign on top of the NFC North goodbye. It's just embarrassing there now...

Posted by: brownwood26 | July 30, 2008 12:30 PM

You may infact be this dumb, to your credit I had to read it twice just to make sure.

I love how the redskins man-handle Min to beat them out for the playoffs but everyone agrees that with the addition of Jared Allen they are now superbowl favorites. The redskins add Jason Taylor who is better, but its a joke to think they could do it.

If Min has even a chance to make the playoffs they may want to replace slob Williams with a player that can still breathe after 5 min into the second quarter. Did anyone see him last year? how do you vote a man to the probowl that plays 1/3 of the game well then for the next 2/3 sits on the bench taking air. He becomes worthless after about 20 min.

Oooooh, a delicious possibility, Nate, but one that was taken care of, I think, by a later CBA (in the wake of Keyshawn/TO). You can't pay a dude to stay away. As long as a team is merely asking a player to stay away, there's no rules violation (and perhaps the Packers just went there to politely ask). Telling/threatening is another matter.

Back from a much needed vacation. Looks like the blog is off and running now that camp has started.

My impressions, so far.

I like the way Zorn handles the press and his press conferences. That said, just win baby. I'm still nervous about his offense.

I'm ok with Jason Taylor, as long as he stays healthy and productive. I think he'll find the blocking in the NFC East a little tougher than the AFC East. Of course, he'll blame in on Blaches' schemes.

Hate seeing the rookie WR injured and sitting out practice.

I think our offensive line is the most cohesive unit on the team, loved seeing Samuels get that cake in the face. He really took it well, he seems like a great guy. RT, has some payback coming.

I'm tired of the Favre saga, my opinion is the Packers handled it poorly from February ....on. You don't treat a veteran star like this. He is Mr. Packer during present day football.

I saw Cindy on WashPostLive for the first time last week. Good comments and quick answers to questions. Busted on Jasno too much. I loved the way you busted Belichick for correcting reporters at every news conference. To funny.

My dislike of Peirs was further increased due to Celebrity Apprentice.

Posted by: BCBarney | July 30, 2008 12:25 PM

That would be Piers Pughe-Morgan, who later dropped the 'Pughe' but is known in the UK as Piers Moron.

The guy was a hack journo who somehow made managing editor at a national newspaper, then got kicked out for buying shares in companies that his stock market 'gurus' were plugging. Of course he and the 'gurus' were buying them before they plugged them in the paper to regular schlubs.